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AmeriPride Receives First of 10 All-Electric Delivery Trucks from Motiv Power

AmeriPride Services, a textile rental services and supply company, announced plans to replace 20 percent of the fleet at its Vernon branch with electric delivery trucks equipped with Motiv Power Systems All-Electric Powertrains. Motiv has delivered the first of ten zero-emission step vans.

Feb 17, 2016

AmeriPride Services, a textile rental services and supply company, announced plans to replace 20 percent of the fleet at its Vernon branch with electric delivery trucks equipped with Motiv Power Systems All-Electric Powertrains. Motiv has delivered the first of ten zero-emission step vans.

Area business leaders and government officials have been invited to an open house at AmeriPride’s Vernon location on February 18 at 2 p.m. to learn about the new vehicle in person and even take a ride.

“AmeriPride is committed to the environment and the communities where we live and work,” said Bill Evans, President and CEO of AmeriPride. “As one of the biggest operators in our industry, we are setting the standard for clean operations and continue to make improvements to our delivery operations and invest resources to test and help advance new green technologies.”

The company’s new delivery vehicles feature up to 20 percent gradeability, 80 miles of range and a 50 percent battery charge time of 2.5 hours. Installed by Morgan Olson on a Ford F59 Chassis, the walk-in step vans are the first Motiv-powered vehicles installed on a previously-used body.

“The F59 chassis from Ford is incredibly versatile and we're excited to demonstrate an all-electric option with these AmeriPride trucks,” said Jim Castelaz, founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “It provides a good example to the regional delivery services community that there are real things a company can do to improve regional air quality and reduce fuel costs.”

In addition to the F59 chassis, Motiv has upfit packages available for the Ford E450 and Crane Carrier COE2 Class 8 chassis. Configurations include all the components required to transform a chassis to zero-emission all-electric drive and are professionally installed to OEM standards at the time of the vehicle's manufacture.

AmeriPride chose the Vernon market for this pilot based on route density and infrastructure, financial incentives and the region’s poor air quality. The purchase of the ten all-electric walk-in vans was made possible through a grant from the California Energy Commission.

“We are extremely excited to pilot the new electric delivery trucks at our facility,” said Annette Casemero, GM of the Vernon branch. “Our first truck has been running daily routes since it was delivered in November and has been running great, with zero service incidents or calls needed. Adding electric vehicles to our fleet complements our expanding alternative fuel program and we look forward to adding additional electric vehicles to our fleet in the coming year.”

Other initiatives the company is implementing at Vernon and other branches include propane, compressed natural gas and hybrid vehicles; trailer skirting and double-decker semi trailers; fuel efficient sedans for the service team and the installation of telematics technology and route optimization software to reduce mileage and increase efficiency. More details on AmeriPride’s efforts can be found in the company’s Corporate Responsibility Report that outlines many key initiatives it is sponsoring across the company.

AmeriPride has received recognition for its sustainability efforts, including TRSA’s Clean Green Award, Heavy Duty Trucking’s Top 50 Green Fleets Award, Fleet Technology Expo’s Top Tier Light and Medium Duty Efficient Fleet Award, and Sacramento Sustainable Business of the Year for Transportation and Air Quality by the Business and Environmental Resource Center (BERC), as well as recognition from Sacramento Area Sustainable Business, the City and County of Sacramento, the California State Senate and the US Congress. In addition, the Vernon facility received recognition from L.A. County for full compliance with wastewater discharge requirements and zero violations, and has remained in full compliance for more than five consecutive years.